Khalif Mitchell appeals suspension, will continue to play

Mike Beamish, Vancouver Sun07.24.2012

B.C. Lions' Khalif Mitchell celebrates an interception by teammate Anthony Reddick against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats during the first half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, B.C., on July 6, 2012. The CFL has suspended Khalif Mitchell for two games without pay after the B.C. Lions defensive tackle hyperextended the arm of Edmonton offensive lineman Simeon Rottier on July 20.

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VANCOUVER - Some people think that it is something to apologize for, not appeal.

But that is what Khalif Mitchell of the B.C. Lions is doing, taking advantage of a provision in the CFL collective bargaining agreement to have his two-game sentence imposed by commissioner Mark Cohon reviewed by an arbitrator.

The decision to appeal his suspension, imposed Monday in the wake of an arm-bar takedown of the Eskimos’ Simeon Rottier in Friday’s game at BC Place Stadium, means that Mitchell will be free to wreak havoc on CFL offences for at least the next two games, both on the road.

The Lions play the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium Saturday before B.C. faces the Toronto Argonauts at Rogers Centre on Monday, Aug. 6. While his teammates scatter for their no-practice bye week following the Argo game, Mitchell will remain in Toronto to have his appeal heard by an independent arbitrator.

Lions GM Wally Buono said Mitchell simply is taking advantage of the appeal process open to him in the collective agreement. To infer that an appeal means the club is “condoning” unacceptable behaviour is not only unfair to the Lions but wrong, Buono said.

“The appeal is not by the club,” Buono explained Tuesday. “We don’t condone bad behaviour. We’ve released a number of players over the years because of their bad behaviour. We’re not orchestrating this. That’s not the case at all. But we’re protecting an individual’s right to appeal, just like we have the right in this country to appeal a speeding ticket.”

Mitchell earned widespread condemnation for twisting the arm and hyperextending the elbow of Rottier, an offensive lineman, in the first half of Edmonton’s 27-14 win over the Lions.

When interviewed later, Mitchell called it “a football play.”

But CFL commissioner Mark Cohon, in a press release issued Monday, called Mitchell’s actions “unnecessary, reckless . . . this type of behaviour has no place in our game and will not be tolerated.”

Hall of Famer Matt Dunigan, a member of CFL royalty, indignantly tweeted that Mitchell should have been suspended “for three or four games,” although retired Blue Bomber and probable future Hall of Famer Doug Brown suggested that some of the fault should lie with Rottier for placing his arm where it wasn’t supposed to be.

“I watched the play. I can make two conclusions. But I don’t have to make the decision,” Buono said. “I’m not the judge and jury. But I’ve got to respect the due process. Whether I want to condone him or praise him, it’s not relevant at this time. What’s relevant is that the facts be stated.”

Asked whether he considered Mitchell’s action a flagrant violation of the rules and a flaunting of acceptable behaviour, Buono responded, “No more than a guy who gets a clipping penalty, no more than a guy who gets a holding penalty. This is a reaction in the spur of the moment. This is not intent. In a game, the majority of those are reactionary.”

Whatever it was, Mitchell’s suspension and appeal certainly had the ability to draw a media crush not seen since the days of the controversial Casey Printers.

After being prepped for several minutes, Mitchell faced his inquisitors and basically re-affirmed what he’d told them on Friday night.

“I’m very blessed to have a clear conscience,” he said. “When I go to bed, and look at myself in the mirror, I know who I really have to answer to. I play very hard, and I play very fair.”

While Rottier still maintains that Mitchell’s action was a deliberate intent to injure, he showed his charitable side by saying he felt the need to “forgive and move on.”

“From my perspective, forgiven means letting go of the bitterness.”

Mitchell said he was unaware of Rottier’s comments.

“After the game, I made all the statements I was going to make,” he said. “I don’t think my statements now would be any more clear. I think all the statements I made then were very just, very factual.”

At the time, Mitchell said his scuffle with Rottier “was in the confines of the play. I’m a nasty player. I’m not a dirty player. I play to the end of the whistle.”

Asked Tuesday if he’d ever committed an act in football that he later regretted, Mitchell responded, “We’ve got to wrap up the meeting. I’m sorry.”

END ZONE -- Lions have no interest in re-acquiring former defensive tackle Aaron Hunt, who was released by the Montreal Alouettes on Tuesday. “Mr. Hunt was a great contributor to our football club, but we’re not going to disrupt what we have at this point,” Buono said. Hunt, 32, was the CFL rookie of the year in 2006 and named to the All-CFL team in 2008 and 2011.

mbeamish@vancouversun.com

Twitter.com/sixbeamers

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